List of Governors for and against PDP chairman, Damagum’s removal emerge
The ongoing crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remains unresolved, with internal conflicts causing a deep division among the party’s governors.
The situation worsened on Friday when the PDP’s national leadership split into two factions, one led by Yayari Mohammed and the other by Umar Damagum.
This rift followed the controversial suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by the Damagum faction during the 593rd National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
In response to the suspensions, Abdullahi and Okechukwu Osuoha were appointed as acting replacements for the ousted officials.
The crisis escalated further when Ologunagba retaliated by suspending Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, citing numerous complaints against them.
Prior to these disruptive suspensions, the PDP had scheduled a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for October 24, intending to elect a substantive national chairman to complete the tenure of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. Under this arrangement, Damagum was expected to revert to his position as National Vice Chairman (North).
According to Punch, the move to remove Damagum has split the PDP governors, with the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, leading six other governors pushing for Damagum’s ouster.
With Mohammed are Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
Meanwhile, four other governors, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, are opposed to Damagum’s removal.
Others with Makinde are Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
However, two out of the 13 governors are neutral. They are Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.